Cover support device



Nov. 15, 1955 c. H. JACOBSON 2,723,776

COVER SUPPORT DEVICE Fil ed Dec. 31, 1951 INVENTOR CARL H. JAOOBSONATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiiice COVER SUPPORT DEVICE Carl H.Jacobson, Binghamton, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, toInternational Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y.

Application December 31, 1951, Serial No. 264,296

11 Claims. (Cl. 217-60) This invention relates to devices formaintaining a cover or lid of a cabinet or the like in a desiredposition, and also relates to devices wherein the speed with which thecover may be moved to a closed position is adjustable.

An object of the invention is to provide a support device to safelymaintain a cover of a cabinet or housing in any position to which it maybe moved.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover support devicewherein the speed with which the cover may be moved to a closed positionis adjustable.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover support devicewherein a cover is opened with a relatively free motion and closed witha restrained motion.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which includestwo cooperatively related parts, one of such parts being adapted forsecuring to a cabinet or housing, and the other of said parts beingadapted for securement to a cover for said cabinet or housing, thecooperation of said parts being of such a character as to enable thecover to be safely maintained in any open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover supporting unitfor a cabinet or housing, said unit comprising a rigid arm portionpivotally connected to the cover and passing between spring urgedfriction means comprising a washer adjacent the side of the arm, androllers carried in inclined grooves of a block adjacent the other sideof said arm.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cover support devicewhich is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture, ofstrong and sturdy character, and one which is easily installed andeflicient in its operation.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which discloses, by way of example, the principle of the invention andthe best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a sufiicient portion of a machinehousing or cabinet and the cover thereof, in

open position, to illustrate the application and functioning of thecover stay device of the present invention as applied thereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on theline 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1 andshowing the detail structure of a portion of the cover stay device.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a machine housing or a cabinetcomprising a body portion and a cover portion 11 pivotally attachedthereto by a hinge 12. When the lid is in a fully closed position, theunderedge 13 of the cover rests upon the upper edge 14 of the bodyportion 10. The upper part of the body portion is open over the greaterpart of the area of the cover so that with the cover in any openposition, such as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, any machine or otherdevice mounted within the housing is readily accessible.

A cover brace, generally designated 15, maintains the cover in anydesired open position and also serves to con- 2,723,776 Patented Nov.15, 1955 trol the speed with which the cover may close. The cover bracecomprises a fiat bar or arm 16 containing a slot 17 which extendslongitudinally from a point near one end to a point near its other end.The upper end of the arm, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is pivotallyattached to a bracket 19 by a fastening 20, the bracket being rigidlysecured to the underside of the cover 11 in any suitable manner. Securedto the inner side of the wall 21 of the body portion 10 is a bracket 23which extends outwardly from the wall as indicated. The outer end of thebracket 23 contains a hole which slidably receives a bolt 24.- The boltextends through and slidably engages the previously mentioned slot 17 inthe arm 16. It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the bolt 24 includes ashoulder 24A, the purpose of which will be later evident.

Slidably mounted on the bolt, between its head portion 25 and the arm16, is a roller block 26 having two wedge shaped recesses 27 in asurface of the block adjacent to the arm. Mounted in-each of the wedgerecesses is a roller 29 having a body portion 30 positioned between thesurface of its related recess and the arm 16 as shown in Fig. 3, andhaving enlarged end portions 31 which prevent the roller from escapingthe related recess 27. The enlarged end portions also serve to maintainthe rollers and block in alignment with the arm 16 by their engagementwith the edges of the block and arm. It will be noted that the innersurface of the end portions 31 are slightly tapered, and the purpose ofthis taper will be later explained.

Slidably mounted on the bolt 24 between the arm 16 and the bracket 23 isa flat washer 33. Similarly mounted on the bolt at the other side of thebracket 23 is a collar 34 having a reduced hub portion 35 extending fromone side. A spring 36 surrounds the hub portion 35 and has one of itsends seating against the collar 34. A collar 37, identical to collar 34and also slidably mounted on the bolt 24, is similarly engaged by theother end of the spring 36. Nuts 38 screwed in the bolt 24, asindicated, maintain the collar 37 on the bolt 24 so that the spring 36is compressed between the two collars.

When the cover is in its closed position, the arm 16 is positionedfurther downward relative to the bolt 24 than the position indicated inFig. 1, the bolt being near to the upper end of the slot 17. positionedin the most shallow end of the related recess 27 in the block 26,approximately as indicated in Fig. 3. With the rollers in this position,the bolt is positioned relative to the bracket 23 so that there is aclearance between the shoulder 24A of the bolt and the collar 34.It'will be appreciated that with the mechanism in the above describedposition, the spring 36 yieldably maintains the washer 33 in frictionalengagement with one side of the arm 16, and also maintains the bodyportion 30 of each of the rollers 29 in engagement with the other sideof the arm and the inclined surface of the related recess 27 on theblock 26. By adjustment of the nuts 38 on the bolt, the frictionalforces acting against the arm 16 may be adjusted.

As the cover is raised from its closed position, the arm- 16 slidesupwardly on the bolt 24 and also rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 1relative to the bolt. The rollers 29 and the washer 33, by reason of thetension of spring 36, tend to frictionally retard this upward movementof the arm relative to the bolt. As a result, the initial portion of theupward movement of the arm causes the rollers to roll upward relative tothe block 26 towards the deepest part of the recesses 27. As the rollersmove towards the deepest part of the recesses, the block 26 and bolt 24are shifted towards the right in Fig. 2 under the urging of the spring36. The shouldered portion of the boltf24 is of such a length that asthe rollers approach the deepest part of the recesses, the shoulder 24Aextends outward In addition, each roller 29 is' slightly beyond thesurface of the bracket 23. As a result, the collar 34 bears against theshoulder 24A rather than against the bracket 23. Thus, the springpressure on the rollers and arm is completely removed and the remainingupward movement of the cover is elfected with complete freedom of anydrag due to the tension of spring 36. During the latter part of theopening movement of the cover, the rollers rotate in the deepest part ofthe recesses 27.

The previously mentioned tapered inner surfaces of the end portions 31of the rollers prevent any possible binding or jamming action betweenthe end portions 31 and the edges of the block and the arm. Thesesurfaces, however, engage the edges of the block and arm sufficiently'tomaintain the rollers, block, and arm in the same aligned relationship atall times. It should be noted in Fig. 3 that the diameter of the bodyportions 30 of each of the rollers 29 is greater than the depth of itsmounting recess 27 at the deepest point so that the block itself isalways maintained free of engagement with the arm 16. The lower end ofthe slot 17 engages the bolt 24 to limit the amount the cover may beopened.

When the cover has been raised to its maximum open position or anydesired open position less than the maximum, it is released. Upon therelease of the cover, the weight thereof starts to force the arm 16downwardly on the bolt 24. A slight downward movement of the arm movesthe rollers from the deepest part of their recesses in the block 26toward the more shallow portions of the recesses, This action results ina shifting of the block and bolt to the left in Figs. 2 and 3 andfinally into the position indicated. During this leftward shifting ofthe bolt and block, the collar 34 is reengaged with the bracket 23 whileat the same time the shoulder 24A is disengaged from the collar 34. Atthis instant, the full force of the spring 36 is reapplied to the washer33 and the rollers 29 bearing against the arm 16. With the nuts 38properly positioned in the bolt, the spring 36 is precompressed to sucha degree that the frictional force suddenly applied to the arm as aresult of the above described action is sufficient, to support the coveragainst gravity and against any jarring and vibration to which it may besubjected.

When it is desired to close the cover, hand pressure is applied thereto.A slight further compression of the spring 36 as the block is crammedall the way to the left from the, position indicated in Fig. 3, does notsignificantly change the frictional force tending to maintain the coverin anopenposition. The force requiredto close the cover must exceedthe,frictional force and must be a steady force, in order to, effectacontinuous closing movement of the cover.

It will be appreciated that by adjusting the nuts 38 on the bolt, the:frictional force exerted on the arm 16 by the rollers 29, and: thewasher 33, during a closing movement ofthe cover, may be adjusted. As aresult, the force necessary to close the cover and the speed with whichthe cover may-be closed, may be controlled as. desired.

Whilethere have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the invention as appliedto a preferred embodiment, itwill be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changesin the form and details of the apparatus illustrated and; in itsoperation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention, It is the intention, therefore, to be,limited only as. indicated e s ap he f l w i What is claimed is:

1. A device for retainingin an open position a cover or the likehingedupon a supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination, anarm pivoted at one end, to said cover, an elongated member slidablymountedon said supporting structure for longitudinal movement in aplaneatf right angles to a face. of saidarm, a block loosely mo n ed Qn ailonga d. memb djac sa dfacc on. a d. s id. la k. nclud ng pl nar a n.sur ac s n clinedfrom the plane of. said. face, a roller positionedbetween each of said cam surfaces and said face, said roller beingsmaller in diameter than the length of the related cam surface so as topermit a limited movement of the roller thereon in a direction at rightangles to the axis of the roller, and means including a spring forurging said block toward said arm so as to maintain each roller inengagement with its related cam surface and with said face of said arm.

2. A device for releasably holding or retaining in an open position acover or the like hinged upon a supporting structure, said devicecomprising a slotted arm pivoted at one end to said cover structure, abolt passing through said slot in said arm and slidably mounted uponsaid supporting structure for longitudinal movement, a block slidablymounted on said, bolt between a head portion thereof and one side ofsaid slotted arm, said block including cam surfaces inclined from theplane of said arm, a cylindrical roller cam positioned between each ofsaid cam surfaces and said arm, a nut on the other end of said bolt, andresilient means acting between said nut and said supporting means tomaintain each roller frictionally engaging said arm and its related camsurface.

3. A device for retaining in an open position a cover or the like hingedupon a supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination, aslotted arm having one end pivotally attached to said cover and theother end extending downwardly therefrom, a bracket member secured tosaid supporting structure, a pin slidably extending through said bracketand said slotted arm, said pin having an enlarged head portion at oneend, a block member slidably mounted on said pin between said head andone side of said arm, said block member having wedge shaped recesses inone face thereof, said recesses tapering from a shallow depth at theirlower ends to a greater depth at their upper ends so as to form a camsurface inclined from the plane of said arm; a cylindrical rollerpositioned in each said recess between the related cam surface and oneside of said arm, said rollers being of larger diameter than the depthof said recesses at their deepest point; a fastening secured to theother end of said pin, and resilient means acting between said fasteningand said bracket wherein said rollers are frictionally engaged with saidrelated cam surfaces and said arm.

4. T he mechanism of claim 3 wherein said rollers have enlarged endportions with inner surfaces lying closely adjacent to the edgesof'said' block and said arm to maintain said rollers, block, and'arm incorrect alignment.

5. The mechanism of claim 4 wherein said inner surfaces of, said endportions are slightly tapered to prevent possible jamming action betweensaid inner surfaces and said edges of said block and said arm.

6. A device for retaining in an open position a cover structure or thelike hinged upon a supporting structure, said, device comprising, incombination, a first bracket member secured to said supportingstructure, a second bracket member secured to said cover structure, aslotted armpivoted at one end to said second bracket, a bolt slidablyextending through said first bracket and through saidv slotted arm, amember slidably mounted on said bolt between a head thereof and one sideof said slotted arm, said member including cam surfaces inclined fromthe plane of said arm, a cylindrical roller positioned between each ofsaid carn surfaces and said, arm, a nut on the other end of said bolt,and a coiled spring mounted on said bolt and acting between said firstbracket and said nut to maintain each roller in engagement with itsrelated cam surface and the adjacent side of said arm.

7. A device for retaining in an open position a cover structure or thelike hinged upon a supporting structure, said device comprising, incombination, a first bracket member secured to said, supportingstructure, a second bracket member secured to said cover structure, aslotted arrn pivoted at one end to said second bracket, a bolt slidablyextendingthrough said first bracket and through said slotted arm, ablock slidably mounted on said bolt between a head portion thereof andone side of said slotted arm, said block having wedge shaped recesses inone face thereof, said recesses tapering from a shallow depth at theirlower end to greater depth at their upper ends so as to form a camsurface inclined from the plane of said arm, a cylindrical rollerpositioned in each of said recesses between said cam surface and oneside of said arm, said rollers being of larger diameter than the depthof said recesses at their deepest point, a washer slidably mounted onsaid bolt between said arm and said first bracket, a nut on the one endof said bolt, and a coil spring surrounding said bolt and acting againstsaid nut and said first bracket to maintain each roller frictionallyengaging said arm and its related cam surface in said block.

8. A device for retaining in an open position a cover or the like hingedupon a supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination, anelongated arm pivoted at one end to said cover for movement therewith, amember movably mounted on said supporting structure for movement in aplane at right angles to the movement path of said arm, said memberhaving wedge shaped recesses on one face thereof which taper from ashallow depth at their lower ends to a greater depth at their upper endsso as to form cam surfaces inclined from the plane of said arm; a rollerpositioned between each of said cam surfaces and said arm, said rollersbeing movable from the shallow end of their recesses to the deepest endof their recesses by the initial movement of said arm during an openingmovement of said cover, and conversely movable from the deepest part ofsaid recesses to the most shallow part by the initial movement of saidarm during a closing movement of said cover; resilient means actingbetween said supporting structure and said member for forciblymaintaining said rollers engaging said cam surfaces and said arm, andmeans integral with said movable member for rendering said resilientmeans operative when said rollers are displaced a predetermined distancefrom said deep end towards said shallow end of said recesses, and forrendering said resilient means inoperative when said rollers aredisplaced a predetermined distance from said shallow end towards saiddeep end of said recesses.

9. A device for retaining in an open position a cover or the like hingedupon a supporting structure, said device comprising, in combination, aslotted arm pivoted at one end to said cover structure, a bolt slidablyextending through said slotted arm and through an extension of saidsupporting structure, said bolt including a shouldered portion ofcritical length and a reduced diameter portion of non-critical length; amember slidably mounted on said shouldered portion of said bolt betweena head portion thereof and one side of said slotted arm, said memberhaving recesses in a face thereof which taper from a shallow depth atone end to a greater depth at another end thus forming cam surfacesinclined from the plane of said arm; a roller positioned between each ofsaid cam surfaces and said arm, a collar movably mounted on said reduceddiameter portion of said bolt adjacent to said extension, the mountingopening of said collar being smaller than the diameter of saidshouldered portion of the bolt; a nut on the end of said bolt, aprecompressed coil spring surrounding said bolt and acting against saidnut and said collar, wherein when said rollers are positioned in thedeepest portion of their mounting recesses by a movement of said arm inan opening movement of said cover, said member and said bolt are shiftedrelative to said extension so that the end of said shouldered por tionof the bolt extends outwardly beyond the extension and engages saidcollar; and wherein when said rollers are positioned in the most shallowportion of their mounting recesses by the movement of said arm in aclosing movement of said cover, said member and said bolt are shiftedrelative to said extension so that said end of the shouldered portion ofthe bolt is free of engagement with said collar, the collar then beingfree to engage said extension.

10. A device for retaining a hinged cover of a container in an openposition comprising, in combination, a slotted arm pivotally connectedto said cover, a bracket attached to said container and lying adjacentsaid arm, an elongated member extending loosely through the slot in saidarm and an opening in said bracket, 9. spring surrounding a portion ofsaid member at one side of said arm, abutment members for said springloosely mounted upon said elongated member, means for limiting movementof said abutment members away from each other to positions at which saidspring is partially compressed, a block mounted upon said elongatedmember at the opposite side of said arm, tapered recesses in said blockadjacent said arm, and rollers in said recesses acting against said armand urged by longitudinal movement of the latter toward one end or theother of said recesses, said rollers operating upon movement in saidrecesses toward the shallow ends of the latter to move said block awayfrom said arm, said elongated member moving with said block and causingengagement between one of said abutment members and said bracket toefiect compression of said spring as said rollers are moved beyond apredetermined point toward the shallow ends of said recesses.

11. A device for retaining a hinged cover of a container in an openposition comprising, in combination, a slotted arm pivotally connectedto said cover, a bracket attached to said container and lying adjacentsaid arm, a bolt extending loosely through the slot in said arm and anopening in said bracket, said bolt having a reduced portion providing ashoulder at its inner end, a nut threaded upon the outer end of saidreduced portion, washers mounted loosely upon said reduced portion, aspring acting between said washers and held partially compressed whensaid washers engage said shoulder and said nut, a member mounted uponthe head end of said bolt and having a cam surface, and a rollerarranged between said cam surface and said arm for etfecting relativemovement between said bolt and said arm as said roller moves over saidcam surface, the arrangement of the parts being such that thecompression of said spring is varied during only a portion of saidrelative movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS906,514 Dengler Dec. 15, 1908 1,256,218 Foster Feb. 12, 1918 1,362,255Lund Dec. 14, 1920 2,291,412 Schonitzer July 28, 1942 2,488,305 Mongeret al. Nov. 15, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 124,495 Switzerland Feb. 1, 1928

